Differences among potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars in northern India in performance of diffuse light stored seed potatoes

Summary Diffuse light storage (DLS) of potato seed tubers was evaluated in the Punjab, India. Seed tubers of seven cultivars were stored in a nylon mesh covered thatch-roofed DLS and their behaviour in store and subsequent performance in the field was compared with that of tubers stored traditionally in a refrigerated cold store (RCS). DLS of seed from March to October resulted in 34–82% loss by weight due to high temperature and low humidity compared to 6–8% in RCS. When the DLS seeds were planted in replicated field trials, they showed reduced germination, germination rate index, plant height and final yield (up to 37%) compared to seeds from RCS. However, in cvs. Kufri Lalima and Phulwa yields were not significantly reduced following DLS.